🥖 New Jersey's Best Artisan & Family-Owned Bakeries
Behind every perfect croissant, crusty loaf, and glazed doughnut is a story — often one of family tradition, craftsmanship, and love for baking.
At BestFoodNJ, we've searched across the Garden State, reading real reviews and visiting community favorites to highlight the bakeries that still bake from scratch — the kind where the smell of fresh bread pulls you in before you even open the door.
Below are New Jersey's most-loved artisan and family-owned bakeries — all featured on BestFoodNJ and praised by locals for their handmade quality, creativity, and warmth.
Balthazar Bakery — Englewood, NJ
A classic French-inspired wholesale and retail bakery supplying NYC restaurants while still keeping its Englewood shop approachable and local.
Try: the legendary croissants or rustic sourdough boules.
"Every pastry looks like it belongs in Paris — flaky, buttery, and absolutely worth the wait." — Google Review
Calandra's Bakery | Fairfield | Newark — Caldwell, Fairfield & Newark, NJ
A three-generation Italian family bakery famous for crusty bread and classic desserts.
Specialties: cannoli, sfogliatelle, and fresh semolina loaves.
"We've been coming here for 30 years — the smell of warm bread is childhood in one breath." — Yelp Review
Chloe's Crème Puffs — Pitman, NJ
A small-town treasure turning the humble cream puff into an art form.
Try: classic vanilla custard or seasonal pumpkin spice.
"Light as air and perfectly balanced — I could eat six and still want more." — Google Review
Chocolate Carousel — Wall, NJ
Both a bakery and cake design studio, Chocolate Carousel bakes everything in-house — from breakfast pastries to intricate wedding cakes.
Fan favorite: chocolate blackout cake.
"They made our wedding cake — looked amazing and tasted even better." — WeddingWire Review
Cocoluxe — Peapack, NJ
Nestled in Peapack's main street, this bakery channels European café vibes with rustic breads and seasonal tarts.
Known for: almond croissants and fruit galettes.
"Feels like a hidden European café right here in NJ." — Local Guide Review
Del Ponte's Bakery — Bradley Beach, NJ
A Jersey Shore institution baking Italian pastries and custom cakes for generations.
Signature: lobster tails and fresh-filled cannoli.
"The line out the door says it all — best pastry on the Shore." — Google Review
Dulce — Collingswood, NJ
A Latin-inspired artisan bakery blending Colombian flavors with French technique.
Favorites: guava danishes and tres leches cupcakes.
"You can taste the love in every bite — sweet, flaky, unforgettable." — Yelp Review
Erie Coffeeshop & Bakery — Rutherford, NJ
Part bakery, part café — everything here is made from scratch.
Highlights: morning buns and fresh brioche sandwich bread.
"Perfect coffee, warm smiles, and pastries that taste like home." — Google Review
GF Sweeties — Haddon Township, NJ
Completely gluten-free and celiac-safe, this bakery proves indulgence doesn't need wheat.
Top picks: blueberry muffins and soft cookies.
"You'd never guess it's gluten-free — the cupcakes are incredible." — Allergy-Friendly Review
Gingered Peach — Lawrenceville, NJ
A community hub where locals line up daily for scratch-made scones and biscuits.
Must-try: brown sugar crumb cake.
"The Gingered Peach is the soul of Lawrenceville mornings." — Local Customer
L & M Bakery — Delran, NJ
Family-run for over 50 years, this neighborhood bakery keeps things classic.
Famous for: cream donuts and rainbow cookies.
"Been coming since I was a kid — same recipes, same smiles." — Google Review
Le French Dad Boulangerie — Montclair, NJ
Authentic French bakery offering baguettes, croissants, and kouign-amann baked fresh daily.
"Montclair's little piece of Paris." — Yelp Review
Lillipies — Princeton, NJ
A cozy Princeton gem specializing in hand pies and scratch-made breakfast treats.
Try: apple hand pies and maple scones.
"Wholesome and buttery — just like my grandmother's kitchen." — Google Review
Liv Breads — Millburn, NJ
Artisan bakery and café known for its sourdough loaves and creative pastries.
Options: vegan danishes and gluten-free cookies.
"NYC-quality breads without leaving Jersey." — Instagram Comment
Marcel Bakery & Kitchen — Montclair, NJ
A Mediterranean-inspired bakery blending Israeli flavors and café culture.
Try: challah, babka, and labneh cheesecake.
"The za'atar bread alone is worth the trip." — Google Review
Montclair Bread Co. — Montclair, NJ
One of NJ's most famous artisan bakeries, celebrated for hand-crafted doughnuts and breads.
Signature: brioche doughnuts with inventive fillings.
"The maple-bacon doughnut is life-changing." — Review Snippet
Natale's Summit Bakery — Summit, NJ
A Summit staple since 1938 — family-owned and cherished for Italian-American classics.
Favorites: cream puffs and birthday cakes.
"They made every cake in our family for decades." — Google Review
Palazzone 1960 — Wayne, NJ
A Northern-NJ Italian pastry landmark offering authentic flavors and espresso bar charm.
Must-try: sfogliatella riccia and tiramisu.
"Feels like being back in Naples." — TripAdvisor Review
Pierre et Michel | Ridgewood — Elmwood Park & Ridgewood, NJ
Two locations run by French pastry chefs known for elegant entremets and macarons.
"Every dessert is picture-perfect and tastes even better." — Customer Quote
Pisker's Bakery — Westville, NJ
A classic South Jersey neighborhood bakery still baking daily in-house.
Top pick: butter crumb cake.
"Small, friendly, and everything's fresh." — Local Patron
Ponzio's Diner — Cherry Hill, NJ
More than a diner — Ponzio's operates an on-site bakery turning out cakes, pies, and pastries.
"The cheesecake alone deserves its own sign outside." — Google Review
Sook Pastry — Ridgewood, NJ
Upscale French pâtisserie using European butter and Valrhona chocolate.
Specialties: éclairs, mille-feuille, and seasonal tarts.
"If you close your eyes, you're in Paris." — Yelp Review
Sweet Melissa Patisserie — Lebanon, NJ
Chef-driven bakery blending French pastry with rustic American desserts.
Try: chocolate mousse cake or lemon bars.
"The kind of bakery that reminds you why butter exists." — Google Review
Sweetsboro Pastry Shoppe — Swedesboro, NJ
A family bakery with strong German roots.
Standouts: bee sting cake and butter cookies.
"A hidden gem that tastes like tradition." — Facebook Review
Taskin Bakery — Paterson, NJ
Turkish bakery serving fresh pide, simit, and baklava daily.
"Authentic and warm — the bread comes out of the oven as you walk in." — Google Review
The Able Baker — Maplewood, NJ
Cozy, community-oriented bakery known for coffee cakes and seasonal pies.
"Feels like Maplewood's kitchen — baked with love every morning." — Local Guide Review
The Artist Baker — Morristown, NJ
A café-style bakery combining art and pastry — literally.
Favorites: olive oil cakes and fruit galettes.
"Everything looks like art and tastes like heaven." — Customer Quote
❤️ Why These Bakeries Made the List
- Family Heritage: Most are multi-generation or owner-operated.
- Scratch Baking: Doughs, batters, and fillings made fresh daily.
- Community Love: Each has a loyal local following and stellar reviews.
- Inclusive Options: Many offer vegan or gluten-free pastries without compromise.
🧁 Plan Your Bakery Crawl
Explore each listing on BestFoodNJ for menus, hours, and directions — and maybe bring a friend … or a bigger box.
Your next pastry stop awaits!
Visit BestFoodNJ.com for the full directory of New Jersey's favorite local spots.
🍞 FAQ: Bakeries in New Jersey
What is the best bakery in New Jersey?
That depends — for French pastries, try Le French Dad or Sook Pastry; for Italian classics, Calandra's and Palazzone 1960 are unbeatable.
Which NJ bakeries make everything from scratch?
Nearly every bakery listed here bakes daily on-site, using recipes passed down through families or trained artisans.
Are there gluten-free or vegan bakeries in NJ?
Yes! GF Sweeties is completely gluten-free, while Liv Breads and The Gingered Peach offer vegan options.
What makes BestFoodNJ's list different?
We feature only real, independently reviewed bakeries — curated using verified customer feedback, not paid placements.
📝 Editor's Note
All bakeries listed were researched using official websites and publicly available customer reviews.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity.
BestFoodNJ curates its lists to highlight authenticity, craft, and community — celebrating the people who keep New Jersey's baking traditions alive.
© 2025 BestFoodNJ.com — Curated with love, one loaf at a time.